Child's play is an expensive business. Before you know it your tiny baby has filled your flat with brightly-coloured playthings. These toys are invariably plastic, cumbersome, noisy and expensive and won't entertain your baby for long.

Before you get carried away in the toy shop, spend some time making a few simple toys yourself. Making your own handful of baby monsters is an easy first project for anyone who hasn't picked up a needle and thread in a while. It's a quick, simple and satisfying task that doesn't necessarily require a sewing machine, just a few basics.

These monsters will suit young babies from 3-6 months who can shake and squeeze them as they learn to grip, but do make sure that everything is sewn on securely and can't be chewed off. Toddlers will enjoy stockpiling the different monsters and carrying them around in a bag or basket, like a collection of dolls or animals. Parents will like them because they're small and quiet, and are little enough to be stored in a handbag, pocket or car for emergency entertainment.

To make a handful of monsters:

You will need

Squares of felt in three different coloursNeedle and threadBells and squeakers (buy online or from a haberdashery shop)Pinking shearsStuffingSewing machine (optional)

Cost

Huge bag of stuffing (enough for 100s of monsters), £2.9010 felt squares, £5.004 small bells, 80pOne squeaker, 83p(You'll hardly use any of the stuffing and felt, and can save for future projects.)

Time

About one hour

What to do

1. To make four monsters, double up your felt fabric and cut out a circle, triangle, hexagon and oblong with pinking shears so that each shape is cut in two pieces to make the front and back of your monster. Each monster should be about the size of the palm of your hand.

2. Sew different "faces" onto the front of each monster in contrasting felts. Be inventive: monsters can have one eye, three eyes and a multitude of different expressions and colours.

3. Embroider scraps of felt for facial features or embroider mouth or cross-shaped nose with thread alone.

4. Place the two pieces, front and back together, and use a zigzag stitch on your machine to hem and join the edges, leave a small gap for stuffing. If you don't have a sewing machine firmly stitch by hand.

5. Stuff and add bell or squeaker to each monster. Close up the hem by hand.

Elen Lewis is the author of The Resourceful Mum's Handbook, Baby on a Budget. Read more craft ideas at www.elenlewis.com/blogHave you been inspired by this week's craft project? Have you ever tried making your own baby toys? Let us know in the comments section below